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UH Experts Available to Discuss Protests, Change in the Middle East

February 10, 2011-Houston-

For weeks, protestors in Egypt and the Middle East have flooded the streets calling for change. Please consider these University of Houston experts available for comment when planning coverage of these historic events. UH experts can approach the issues surrounding these events from a variety of angles, including: the modern Middle East, state and society in the Middle East, women and Islam, the global oil business, religious studies, democratization and oil politics.

Obama and the War Powers ResolutionThe debate over whether President Obama has the authority under the War Powers Resolution (WPR) to continue U.S. military involvement in Libya has come down to interpretation of the word “hostilities.” A University of Houston Law Center expert on international law and treaties calls the administration’s contention that the armed conflict falls short of WPR “hostilities” “highly problematic for U.S. military personnel.” Professor Jordan Paust is a recognized expert on international law, treaties and the incorporation of international law into US domestic law. As this issue works its way through Congress and the courts, he may be reached at 713-743-2177 or jpaust@central.uh.edu.

Society in the Modern Middle EastProfessor Dina Alsowayel teaches history of the Modern Middle East, State and Society in the Middle East, Women and Islam, A History of Islam, War in the Middle East and a History of the Palestine-Israeli Conflict. She also takes students to the Arab and Muslim world annually. She can be reached at 832-526-8954.

Religious Impact of ChangeProfessor Lynn Mitchell is director of the Religious Studies Program. He can address the political and religious impact of a change in leadership in Egypt. Reach him at 713-743-3213 or lynnemitchelljr@yahoo.com.

Democratization in the Middle EastPolitical science professor Ryan Kennedy is available to discuss events in the Middle East from the political perspective. His teaching interests include democratization and oil politics. Kennedy can be reached at rkennedy@uh.edu.

Faith and The ProtestsM. Sait Yavuz is the director of academic affairs at the the UH Gulen Institute, in the UH Graduate College of Social Work. Yavuz can be reached at msyavuz@central.uh.edu.